AGENDA DATE: 8/3/2022
TITLE:
Title
Stream Health Initiative - Mid-year Update
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update the Board on the Stream Health Initiative, including progress of selected projects and overview of next steps
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Filardo, Rapp, Pohl, Maliszewski, Williamson, Biasiolli
PRESENTER (S): Kim Biasiolli, Frank Pohl
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In 2017, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop strategies for improving stream health in the county; this project is referred to as the Stream Health Initiative. From 2018-2021, staff conducted extensive public engagement with community stakeholders to identify strategies focused on development-related issues (Phase 1) and Rural Area-focused issues (Phase 2). The results of these engagement phases are now combined into one project moving forward.
In December 2021, staff presented 14 proposals to the Board, based on a culmination of the community feedback, staff analyses, and input from the Board. The 14 proposals fell into three categories:
1) Regulatory
2) Incentives and Voluntary Opportunities
3) Monitoring, Education, and Partnerships
During the work session (12/1/21), the Board recommended staff begin working on several projects with existing staff resources, to submit budget requests for FY 23 for a subset of the proposals, and to phase the requests for the remaining proposals in FY 24-26.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Natural Resources Stewardship: Thoughtfully protect and manage Albemarle County’s ecosystems and natural resources in both the rural and development areas to safeguard the quality of life of current and future generations.
DISCUSSION: An update on the Stream Health Initiative is provided as Attachment A. This includes the project history, key elements of progress, and next steps for the project. The Overview (Attachment B) and Final Proposals (Attachment C) presented during the 12/1/21 work session are provided for reference. This presentation will include an overview of the project update and provide more detail on the status and next steps for ongoing projects.
BUDGET IMPACT: Each proposal requires some combination of existing staff time, additional staffing needs, and/or associated program funding, as described in Attachments B and C. Several of the proposals present opportunities to leverage outside funds from partner agencies and grants; this will continue to be a focus of project work moving forward. In consideration of existing staff capacity and current budget projections, staff is moving forward with the recommendation approved by the Board to stagger implementation of the proposals. The FY 23 budget includes $30,000 for hiring of a consultant for proposal #2 (Strengthen Restoration & Mitigation Requirements). Tables 1 and 2 (see Attachment A) indicate where budget requests will be submitted in FY 24 - FY 26.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This report and presentation are for information only. No action is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Stream Health Initiative Project Update
B - Overview of Proposals
C - Final Proposals